Adjustable mast



Aug. 31, 1943. 0, BENSON 2,327,990

ADJUSTABLE MAST Filed Aug. 12, 1940 ,Z-hvenio-r,

GEORGE O. BENSON Patented Aug. 31, 1943 ADJUSTABLE MAST I eor e Beasoi1, Niagara Falls, N. Y. applicat n August 12, 1940, Serial No. 352,233

, w i A scams. (c ear-s) i This invention relates to adjustablemasts such asare usedas-tentpoles orassupports for radio antennae and in some cases asthe radio antenna provision oi" an improved article of the class referred to.

itself, and has for an object the Adjustable masts obviouslyrequiremeans for fixing-the parts in the relative positions required to give the desired length., The means by which the parts are fixed intheir relative positions must grip the movableelement with a pressure suflicient to restrain relative movement of theparts when themast is used to support, for example, a tent or a radio antenna. At the same time, the means by which the parts are held in position must not mar or deform the partupon which the pressureis exerted and must permit quick and easy adjustment as to length when itis desiredto collapse or extend the mast. 'These 'requirements for a highdegree of pressure, together with quick adjustabilityas to length and freedom from injury to themovable element, have been found to be diflicult to meet, and one of the objectsof the present inventionis to provide a mast in, which these requirements are fully and satis iactorily met. i One meansby which telescoping parts have been fastened to one another heretofore ha sbeen a 3 set-screw inthreaded relationship with one element and having an end in engagement with the other element. Such means, however, very frequently mars the element engaged by the end of the set-screw, and sooner or later the defermations thus caused seriously reduce the adjustabllity of the device. This disadvantage of the set-screw as a fastening means is increased when tubing is used, and such tubing is preferred, and even demanded, for many applications because ease of handling, supporting and/or transporting is essential. Furthermore,

set-screws do not provide adequate electrical contacts in such applications as radio antennae, especially after the tube set-screw adjacent the new setting.v

A drawing is appended to p ovide a better understanding of the invention, but it is to be understood that it is to be taken as illustrative, and not as limitingthe invention.

In the drawing ,7

Figure 1 is a view, in, elevation, of a mast made according to the present invention;

Figure 2is a view, partly in section, of a por-. tion including the clampingfor fastening means;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken through the line III-III of Figure 1; n

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the tensioning band forming a partof the clamping arrangeillustrated in Figures 1,2and 3; and a Figure 5 is a view, partly in section, taken along the line V V of Figurel. g Similar reference numerals are used through; out thespecification and drawing to designate similar parts.

Ifhe mast illustrated in Figure 1 comprises three tubular elements I, 2 and ,3, intelescoping relationship, and the clamping elements 4, one

of which joins the tubular, elements I and 2, and the other joins, the tubular elements ,2 and 3. The manner in which the elements arejoined by means of the clamp 4 is shown in more detail in Figure 2. 'In this figure, the tubular element the tubular element {is shown The clamp 4, also shown partially in section, comprises the ferrule 6, which embraces the endaportion of the tube 3 and extends beyond the same, a tensioning band 1, a'threaded stud' 8 and a nut 5 in threaded env gagement with said stud. The nut 5, shown in non-movable relationship has been marred by the shown in Figure 2 as being attached,the ferrule 6 is attached to the tubular element 3 by welding, or i any other suitable manner.

Figure 3 shows the arrangement of the various elements, including the tubular members 2 in this figure, the tensioning band 1 makes contact with the inner wall of the ferrule 6 at a point in proximity to the enlarged section of the ferrule 6, at which point the said tensionmg band I tive reduction in the pressure exerted by the tensioning band 1 upon the tubular element 2.

surface for the wing nut 2 siderably longer than the diameter of the stud 8, as shown in Figure 3, but of a width only slightly greater than the diameter of the stud 8, as shown in Figure 3, in order to permit assembly of the band 'I and stud B, as illustrated in Figure 4, prior to the assembly of the clamping element 4, and to provide, at the same time, a satisfactory bearing 5 without the use of a washer between the ferrule and the wing nut.

The tensioning band 1 preferably should be flexible, yet of sufficient resiliency to provide restoration to substantially it original position when the wing nut 5 is run back to permit relative movement between the tubular elements 2 and 3.

By positioning and fastening the end of the tensioning band 1 in proximity to the enlarged 7 portion of the ferrule, and consequently also in other end of the tensioning band proximity to the 1, which is attached to the. threaded stud 8, almost complete encirclement of the tubular member 2 is accomplished. As a consequence of this, the-total pressure that maybe applied to the tubular element 2 by virtue of 'the tensioning band ,1, the stud 8 and the wing nut 5 is very i large. This high total pressure isv made possible not only because of the broad area of contact between the tensioning member l andthe. tubular element 2, but also b-eca tee of the fact that the pull exerted on'the end of the tensioning band I by the stud 8 causes a slight rotation of the tubular element 2. This rotation of the tubular element 2,although very slight, provides relief as thewing nut 5 is being tightened, and consequently injury to the tubular element 2 is avoided. t i

While specific embodiments have been used to illustrate the invention, it will be appreciated'that the invention is not limited to the specific means demanded, and consequently the problem of providing suitable clamping means has been intensified. I

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. The'combination comprising a plurality of tubular members in telescopic relationship and a clamp-attached to the outer of said tubular members comprising a ferrule which embraces the end portion of and extends longitudinally beyond the same, a

said outer tubular member band which embraces the inner of said tubular members over an area extending substantially,

completely around said inner tubular member and is positioned within said ferrule and has one end attached theretoyandtensioning means at tached to the other end of said band.

2. The combination comprising a pluralityj of i tubular members in telescopic relationship and a shown. For example, the tensioning band can be operated by means of acam and lever arrangement instead of by the threaded stud and wing nut illustrated.

In addition to the advantage of positive grip,-

pin'g action without damage. to the tubular e1e merits, the present invention has the further ad vantages that it is inexpensive to manufactureand is sturdy and not easily damaged in normal use. One factor contributing to the economical production of thedevice of the present, invention is that the tubular elementscan be made of lighter weight material than usual because of the freedom 1 from injury thereto by the clamping member,

Heretofore the tubular members of a' clamp attached to the outer-oi said tubular members comprising a ferrule which embraces the end portion of said-outer tubular member andextends longitudinally beyond the same, a band which embraces the inner of said tubular membersover an area extending substantially completely around said inner tubular member and is positioned within said ferrule and has one end attached thereto, and tensioning means attached 4 to the other end of said band comprising a threaded stud and. a nut in engagement therewith. I r J ,3. The combin ation comprising a plurality of tubular members in telescopic relationship and a clamp attached to the outer cf said tubular members comprising axferrule which embraces the endportion of said outer tubular member, and extends longitudinally beyond the same, a band which embraces the inner of said tubular members over an area extending substantially completely around saidinner tubular member andis positioned within said ferrule and has one end attached thereto and tensioning means attached to the otherend ofsaidband comprising a threaded stud which projects through-an aperture in the wallof said ferrule and a nut in engagement therewith and cn the outside of said ferrule. r

GEORGE O. BENSON. 

